Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 872, Jeremiah B Field, New Jersey

SERVICE
NUMBER
New Jersey
Field, Jeremiah B.
S 872
CONTENTS
Carded

17.542 New Jersey
Jemimah B. Field
of Middlesex in the State of New Jersey who was a private in the Cont. commanded by Captain Van Eyck of the Regt commanded by Col. Deyo in the New Jersey line for 9 yrs.
Inscribed on the Roll of New Jersey at the rate of 80 Dollars Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 17 day of Aug. 1833 — and Smith H. Randolph M.C. present
Arrears to the 4th of Mar. 22 $160 Semi-ann. allowance ending Mar. 22 40 $200
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by C. C. Bates Clerk, Book E , Vol. 9 Page 111

Jeremiah B. Field Application for Pension
8700
certificate to be sent to James T. Randolph W. Burns N. Young

Jeremiah B. Field Application for Pension
8706
certificate to be sent to James T. Randolph W. Burns N. Young

State of New Jersey Middlesex county ss:
On this fourteenth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and one thirty two, personally appeared before the Judges of the Inferior court of common Pleas in & for the county of Middlesex & State of New Jersey in open court & now sitting & being also a court of record Jeremiah B. Field a resident of the Township of Piscataway in the county & State aforesaid, who being first duly sworn according to Law and being examined and interrogated according to the instructions from the war department both on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7. 1832.
That is to say that he was born in the Township of Piscataway in the county of Middlesex & State of New Jersey on the 15 th of November 1752 & will be eighty years of age if he lives till next November. He has in his possession a record of his age which was kept by his father. Always resided in the Township of Piscataway aforesaid both before & since the revolutionary war resided there when the war began. His memory is too much impaired to give a very particular & detailed statement of his services as a soldier of the revolution but he distinctly recollects that he entered the service of the United States as a private soldier & volunteer in a company of Militia in the year 1775 & marched to Long Island to disarm the Tories, that he was

absent three weeks or thereabouts, but can remember under what officers. When the British army landed on Long Island he was then in the service at Paulus Hook in the county of Bergen but does not re- member under what officers except colonel John Durykin. - At that period or shortly after the militia of New Jersey were divided into claps & each clap were called out & served alternately, from that time to the end of the war he served in his own behalf every third month & never missed a turn & served one turn as a substi- tute for Dennis Smock. - The only officers under whom he can recollect to have served were captains Jacob Tibbiny Jacob Van Deventer Jeremiah Ten Eyck, and Robert Hop, Major William Sagar and colonels John Webster & Brod. - There were others but he cannot name them, nor can he tell at what particular periods of the war he served under each. - His service as a soldier was rendered at the follow- ing places to wit at Paulus Hook, Bergen Elizabethtown, Rahway, Woodbridge, Spring- field, Cranbury and on the Delaware river & the country through which he marched lay between the points above named in the State of New Jersey. - He never was in any general battle but in frequent skirmishes along the line of New Jersey. - He cannot say how long he served in the whole but thinks it was as much as two years from the commence- ment to the end of the war. - Never receiv- ed any written discharge from the ser- vice, nor has any documentary evi-

Witness of his services, & the only witnesses who can confirm his statement & prove his services as a soldier of the revolution any war, as far as he knows, are John Field & Jeremiah Tinkley who were also soldiers of the revolution & who are still living & whose testimony he can procure. He is also well known to the Rev David Rodgers and Wm B Manning Esq. who reside in his neighbourhood & can testify to his character for veracity & their belief of his services as a soldier of the revolution.
And he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present & declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State.
Sworn & subscribed in open court the day & year aforesaid A. Morrison Judge
Jeremi B Field  John
We John Field & Jeremiah Tinkley of the township of Piscataway in the county of Middle do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Jeremiah B. Field the above applicant, that we knew him during the war of the revolution any war , & served with him at different periods but don't know how long. We know him also to be a man of veracity & we further certify that his statement as above made relative to his services is entitled to full credit.
Sworn & subscribed in open court the day & year aforesaid A. Morrison Judge
John B Field Jeremiah Tinkley

We David L. Rodgers a clergyman residing in the county of Middlesex and Wm B. Manning - also residing in said county do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Jeremiah B. Field who has sworn to & subscribed the above declaration. That we believe him to be of the age of eighty years or thereabouts, that he is a man of veracity & reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution & that we concur in that opinion -
Sworn to & subscribed in open court the day & year aforesaid - N. Woodworth
David L. Rodgers Wm B. Manning
And the court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter & after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the war department that the above named applicant was a soldier of the revolution & served as he states. And the court further certifies that it appears to them that the said R. B. Rodgers - who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in the county of Middlesex & that Wm B. Manning who has also signed the same resides also in said county and is a sensible able person & that their statement is entitled to credit.
Dated Sept. 7 th 1882 - N Woodworth
Thos Hance } Judges B. Ford }

I Francis S. Vanhooker clerk of the Inferior court of common Pleas in & for the county of Middlesex do hereby certify that I am sure the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said court in the matter of the applica- tion of Jeremiah B. Field for a pension
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affix- ed the seal of said court this twentieth day of September in the year of our Lord one thou- sand eight hundred & thirty two F. S. Vanhooker Clerk

Rev War.
INVALID.)
am
File No. 822
Jeremiah B. Field
Prv. N.Y. Line
Act: June 7, 1832.
Index:—Vol. a , Page 124
[Arrangement of 1870.]
✓

Jeremiah B. Fiala 8706
unplated
Admitted
Private 25 months
James P. Randolph New Brunswick N.J.

State of New Jersey
Middlesex County ss Personally appeared before me the sub- scribed one of the Justices of the Peace in the said county Jeremiah B. Field who being duly sworn deponeth & saith That in consequence of old age & the consequent loss of memory he cannot swear positively as to the precise time & length of all his services but to the best of his recollection he served not less than the period mentioned below. In the following grades He entered the United States Service in the year 1775 Served one month as a volunteer under Captain Webster & Col. Hebard I marched to Long Island to disarm the disaffected Tories. In the summer of 1776 he was regularly drafted in the militia ordered out Served one month under Captain Moses Martin I Col. Sluychink at Pauls Hook - the enemy then were in the bay. In the fall of the same year he was ordered out and served two months - the first under Captain Steele & the other under Captain Randoll I was stationed both months at the Woodbridge Station engaged in scouting parties & guarding the lines. He volunteered in the winter of 1776 & 1777 Served three months as a volunteer under Captain Jacob Van Slichten & altho' not stationed at any one place in consequence of the near situation - the enemy being in New Brunswick was busily employed in scouting parties harassing the enemy & guarding the property of his fellow citizens from the plundering parties of the British. In June 1777 he was again ordered out being drafted Served three months in three terms of one month each under Captain Steele & in the fall of the same year he was ordered out as before and served two months in two terms of one month each and one month under Captain W m Manning under Col. D. D. & during these last mentioned six months was at the Woodbridge Station engaged in guarding that section of the state & the lines from Blazing Star to Amboy. In June 1778 he was ordered out Served one month under Captain Lebrun & Col. Webster I was marched to Monmouth & altho' not in the battle was in frequent skirmishes I had during this

period his brother Michael & one Lairy & one Boice killed & a number wounded. In July immediately after the last term of duty he was ordered out & served one month under Capt s Lapsides. In September of the same year he was ordered out & served one month under Capt s Manning. In November he was ordered out & served one month under Captain John  Edgar In January 1779 he was ordered out & served one month under Captain Jerry Ten Eyck & In March he was again ordered out & served one month under Captain Rops & In May he was ordered out & served one month under Captain John Ten Eyck  Edgar During these latter six months he was under Major Edgar & Col d Heed or Low or Webster and was stationed at the Woodbridge quarters engaged in guarding the lines - the enemy being then on the Island & also in Scouts preserving the property of his fellow citizens & watching the enemy. In the summer of 1779 he was again ordered out & served three months in three terms of one month each under Capt s Ten Eyck  Major Edgar  Webster  Low  or  Heed Low or Webster & was stationed in the middle of New Jersey engaged in the performance of similar duties guarding along the lines. He was out more in the year 1779 but cannot now particularly specify. In June 1780 he was ordered out & served one month under Captain Dunn at Woodbridge In July 1780 he was ordered out & served two months under Captain John Ten Eyck  Edgar and during these latter mentioned three months was under Major Edgar & Col d Low or Webster. In the fall of the year 1780 he enlisted in a troop of horse & & served two months furnishing his own horse under Capt s Rhineas Manning & was stationed principally between Woodbridge & Elizabeth town & was engaged in Scouts & guarding the lines - watching the enemy & guarding the property of his fellow citizens from the incursions of the plundering parties of the enemy. During all the times specified he acted as a private faithfully serving his country not engaged in any civil pursuit. He is confident he served more than he has specified & at

least three years but cannot at this time particularize He was frequently called out at alarms by day & by night never refused to go & for all these services he claims a pension Given under my hand this fifth day of July A.D. 1833
Jeremiah B. Field
Peter P. Runyon } Justice of the Peace }
State of New Jersey - Middlesex county } I Nicholas Booraem Clerk of the Superior Court of Law- man Pleas do hereby certify that Peter P. Runyon before whom the foregoing declaration or affidavit was taken is one of the Justices of the Peace in the said county of Middlesex that his signature thereto is in his own proper hand writing & that his acts are entitled to full credit In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed my seal of office this fifth day of July A.D. 1833
N Booraem Clerk

State of New Jersey Middlesex County, ss. On this present day of July one thousand eight hundred thirty three, before me a notice of the Peace issued for the county aforesaid. Personally appeared Jeremiah DeLoach, of said County, who being duly sworn doth on his oath say, that he is in the 78th year of his age, and a soldier of the Revolution - that he well knows Jeremiah B. Field an applicant for a Pension - named in papers num- bered 8706, that he has known him for more than forty years, knows that said Field was one of the bravest & most faithful soldiers of the Revo- lution - that he served often in the deponent's company whilst this deponent was Captain that he served under him in 1778, 1779, & 1780, several times, he thinks, in each of those years, but certainly he served under him in each of those years. Said Field & deponent were neighbors during the Revolu- tion, and each had the best opportunity of know- ing when the other was out, even when they were not out together. The deponent knows that said Field served a great deal, and has no doubt that he served a good deal more than two years, that he was always out when his turn came, or occasions called. Deponent knows and considers Field to be a man of the highest probity & veracity and verily believes that he has stated nothing in re- lation to his revolutionary services that is not true.
Subscribed upon the day & year Jeremiah DeLoach aforesaid, before me Peter P. Newyou Justice of the Peace
I hereby certify the Capt Jeremiah DeLoach the deponent named in the foregoing affidavit is a reputable person and his statement is entitled to credit Peter P. Newyou Justice of the Peace

I Nicholas Borman, Clerk of the County of Middlesex and State of New Jersey, do hereby certify that Patsy P. Riney or, before whom the foregoing Affidavit of General Lea Eyck was taken, is a Justice of the Peace duly commissioned and sworn, and that the signature of said Riney is in her own proper hand writing.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court, this twelfth day of August one thousand eight hundred thirty three.
N. Borman. Clerk

Jeremiah B. Field
James F. Randolph Present Dr. at New Brunswick.

State of New Jersey
Middlesex County ss Personally appeared before me the subscriber one of the Justices of the Peace in and for the said County of Middlesex Jeremiah B. Field who being duly sworn deposeth & saith that by reason of old age & the consequent loss of memory he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service in the United States service during the revolutionary war but to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below in the following grades. He entered the service as a volunteer in 1775 & was out not less he thinks upon reflection & conversation with others than one month. In the summer of 1776 he was ordered out being drafted & delayed & served one month under Col. Moses Martin & Col. Deaychink at Danes Hook - the enemy were then in New York Bay in the fall of the year 1777 he served three  two months under Captain Steele & Randall - at Woodbridge Station engaged in scouting parties & guarding the lines - the enemy were then on the Island. And was out at Hunter around the country not being able to remain at home the enemy then lying at Morristown. In June he was again ordered out served 6 months until the summer of 1778 under Captain Steele. At Manalapan & Raritan Major Edgar & Col. Crow & Webster engaged in guarding the lines from Woodbridge to Morris Plains Bergen & Amboy & in scouts. In June 1778 was ordered out & served one month under Capt. Lebrun & Col. Webster & engaged at Woodbridge & in Mon- mouth County - during which time he had a brother Michael Kily & the mother of his associates was living in one of the hills hills. Immediately afterwards in July was called out served 6 months (every other month) under Captains Lufkin & Manning & Reps & Lieut. Col. and Colonels

Heard Crow & Mettaw stationed chiefly in middle of the state - wherein he was continually engaged in protecting at Woodville engaged in frontier parties watching the enemy & the toils & preserving the property of his fellow citizens. During the winter of 78-79 it was especially hard & had to guard in the snow. In the summer of 1779 he was ordered out & served 3 months under some of the same officers & engaged in similar duties & on the same lines & more months than he cannot now particularly specify. In the summer of 1780 he was ordered out & served 5 months under Genl Lord Genl Marmy & Major Edgar - Colonels Crow & Mettaw - During which he was marched around at Elizabeth Town & that part of the state engaged in guarding & watching the movements of the enemy & refugees. For two months of that period in 1780 he was attached to a horse company under Captain Thomas Marmy & was at Elizabeth Town & saw the traces of the enemy but was not in the engagement. During all his services he acted as a private & was frequently called out at alarms & other times engaged in other duties but cannot now particularly specify & for these services he claims a pension.
From a Subscribed this 17 th June 1833 I, Cornelius B. Field Upon me Peter P. Runyon Justice of the peace

State of New Jersey Middlesex County ss Personally appeared before me the undersigned one of the Justices of the Peace in and for the said county of Middlesex County John B. Field who being duly sworn deposes & states that Jeremiah D. Field was in the U. States Service during the Revolutionary war & that he was out one month at the time the enemy was in York Bay at Paulsboro under Captain Martin & one month at Bayonne & several months at Woodbridge under Captain Masing Peter H. Hop In view of the recitals & claims that said Jeremiah B. Field was out as he has before set forth in his supplementary declaration
Given under my hand this 14th day of June 1833 John B. Field
Upon my oath I do hereby certify that said John B. Field is a person of great respectability & credit & that his statements may be relied on
Peter G. Runyon Justice of the Peace
We the Judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas do further certify that John B. Field Jeremiah D. Field & Jeremiah D. Field are persons of great respectability & credit & that their statements may be relied on
Peter G. Runyon Thos. Bance W. Ford

I Nicholas BOORACKE Clerk of the Superior Court of Common Pleas of the County of Middlesex State of New Jersey do hereby certify that Peter D. Run- yon who has signed the foregoing certificate is a justice of the peace & that his signature is in due form & order and that he is duly commissioned & has the armed power. contain the original Supplemental declaration & proceedings in the matter of Jeremiah D. Field an applicant for a patent -
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed my seal of office this twentieth day of June A.D. 1833. N Booracke Clerk

8706.
Jeremiah B Field
Hon J. F. Randolph Census

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
Jan 25 1833
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of Jeremiah B Field
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.              
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted: This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c, Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of
On this day of personally appeared (a) before and State, Territory or District A. B. a resident (b) of in the county of of aged (c) years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) , with and served in the (e) regiment of the line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. [This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of A. B. Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of &c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz: and C. D. residing in (the same)
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the , who has hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Clerk of the Court of do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this day of &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his

alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. } Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? { To an Officer. } Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?  7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year — _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____ For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[k] The notes from [a] to [j] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.